O c t o b e r 2 011 Now that I have handed the discussing these changes internally and engaging Presidency gavel off to my in external dialogue with many stakeholders to dear friend and colleague for understand how these changes might impact the the past twenty years at Save Associations implementation of its mission. That Barton Creek Association, understanding will enable SBCA to address, and Jackie Goodman, I appreciate benefit from, the many changes in the “landscape” the opportunity to update you of the Aquifer. Here are just a few examples. The on the state of the association, City of Austin Watershed Protection Department, which did not exist in 1979, now has almost 300 A few events occurred people evaluating projects, studying watershed last year that bring changes science, and acting daily to protect and conserve to the Save Barton Creek the long term interests of the Aquifer and the Association. Recently, environment in general. Hays County governments Shudde Fath turned over the financial records to our control development in two-thirds of the Barton new Treasurer, Kathy Smartt. For 30 years, Shudde Springs Zone. And in the “good news” department, kept meticulous records of every donation, kept the several organizations have formed to help protect mailing list updated, paid the Association’s bills and and preserve the waters of Barton Springs, such as prepared the financial statements. She is still going the Hill Country Conservancy, the Barton Springs strong in her 90s, and still attends most of the board Edwards Aquifer Conservation District; Envision meetings providing extraordinarily valuable insights Central Texas; the Friends of Barton Springs Pool, and institutional memory. We intend to digitize and the SOS Alliance. the trove of information in her fourteen file boxes accumulated during the past thirty years of daily So, as we consider these changes and many other financial management for SBCA. Thanks, Shudde! challenges and opportunities, we ask ourselves, “What is the most effective As Save Barton Creek Articles in this Issue role for the Save Barton Association moves into its Creek Association in the third decade(!) of existence, In Memorium 3 future?” A Transition the Board of Trustees is Committee comprised now actively engaged in a Barton Springs Pool Master Plan Update 6 of Jackie Goodman, comprehensive strategic Robin Cravey Mary Ann Neely, Donna analysis and planning Tiemann, Sarah Baker for the future. As always Barton Springs Salamander Status 8 Faust, and I, are working though, the Board is Laurie Dries to answer that question. committed to staying We will propose a “Going focused on the mission! Water flow from Blancoto Barton Springs 9 Forward” business plan to Times have changed and Nico Hauwert the Board of Trustees this spring. As you can imagine, the Save Barton Creek Austin’s Comprehensive Planning Process 11 Association is mindful the input the committee has of these changes. We are Donna Tieman Continued on Page 2
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 1 SAVE received thus far from many stakeholders ranges from excitement to reserved concern for BARTON our venerable organization. CREEK One important aspect of this “Going Forward” plan is the Board’s commitment to hire the ASSOCIATION Association’s first full-time employee within the next few months. Stay tuned for updates on this crucial piece of our reorganization.
OFFICERS AND Finally, let me list a few additional significant events that also occurred this year: Nico TRUSTEES FOR Hauwert, a hydrogeologist at the City of Austin and long-time “student” of the aquifer has 2010 - 2011 discovered that Barton Springs may receive recharge from the Blanco River (an abridged version of his findings is included in this newsletter). Also, there’s been a steep decline President: in the number of proposed development projects in the Barton Springs Zone and an Jackie Goodman increase in projects elsewhere. The Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District published “Desired Future Conditions” and “Sustainable Yields” report. The Travis County Vice President: Commissioners enacted Temporary Suspension on Development Permits over the Trinity Jon Beall Aquifer; and, the City of Austin Watershed Protection Department implemented significant Vice Presdent initiatives to protect the environment in the Desired Development Zone. Donna Tiemann As you can see, SBCA pursues its mission in a busy and ever-changing world. Many Secretary: battles remain in the never-ending fight to protect and conserver the waters, flora and fauna of Barton Creek, Barton Springs and the Barton Springs Edwards Aquifer, but we Steve Beers have many allies and we are heartened by their support. Treasurer: Regardless of whether you are life-long member or perhaps this is the first SBCA Newsletter Kathy Smartt you’ve ever read, I ask you, I urge you, I entreat you – to please renew your commitment Treasurer Emeritus: to the “Heart and Soul” of Austin – Barton Springs – today. Visit savebartoncreek.org to make a tax-deductible, charitable contribution so that the life force of Barton Springs will Shudde Fath indeed be Eternal! Board Members: On behalf of the SBCA Board of Trustees, I wish you and your family a healthy holiday Roger Baker season. Paul Bergman Harold Daniel Sarah Baker Faust Jack Goodman Jon Beall Dick Kallerman Past President Mary Ann Neely Craig Smith Join Us Pam Thompson We meet the 2nd and 4th Save Barton Creek Association Rachel Turner monday Membership Susan Wall every month Lifetime Associates $1,000 Roy Waley Patrons $500 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Sustainers $250 Casa Garcia’s Mexican Restaurant Friends $100 Donors $50 1000 South Lamar Boulevard Families $15 Individuals $10 Phone (512) 851-8684 Students/Retirees $5 Please join us for good You may sign up online at www.savebartoncreek.org/join.asp or send conversation and the latest your donation to PO Box 5923, Austin, TX 78763. updates on Barton Springs issues! Thank you!
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 2 SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 3 Blanco River Recharges Barton Springs During Drought Nico Hauwerta, Brian Huntb, Marcus Garyc, Steve Johnsond The Blanco River appears to be an important information, we infer that Onion Creek serves as source of recharge for Barton Springs during times the southern-most divide for Barton Springs’ source of drought, as demonstrated by recent groundwater area under certain high-flow conditions, and that tracing. This exciting new finding gives scientists a the Blanco River does not contribute significantly to better understanding of how flows at Barton Springs Barton Springs during those conditions. The recharge are sustained during drought conditions. rate of Onion Creek is several times higher than the recharge rate of the Blanco River when Onion Creek Between May 2008 and February 2009, fluorescent is flowing and its recharge may overwhelm some dye injected in the Blanco River watershed was of the groundwater flow paths to Barton Springs, detected at Barton Springs. The tracers also showed diverting some Onion Creek recharge to San Marcos up in wells in the Mountain City and Ruby Ranch Springs. Assuming that the Blanco River contributes areas, in addition to wells south of the Blanco River to Barton Springs only during low-flow conditions toward San Marcos Springs (Figure 1). These tracer the overall contribution of Blanco River recharge to injections targeted lower-flow drought conditions, Barton Springs is initially estimated to be only about ie., below average flow rate for Barton Springs of 4% on average. about 50 cubic feet per second (cfs). During low- flow conditions in 2009, groundwater flow rates However, during drought conditions the through the Edwards Aquifer to Barton Springs percentage of contribution to recharge could be decreased substantially compared to the 3-day much higher. This concept is illustrated by Figure travel time from nearby Onion Creek measured in 4, which shows Barton Springs discharge receding 2005, under high-flow conditions. Tracers from the rapidly but then stabilizing as it approaches the Blanco River generally took about three months to corresponding recharge of the Blanco River. Thus, arrive at Barton Springs during the 2008 to 2009 it appears that the Blanco River might be directly traces (Figures 2 and 3). The Edwards Aquifer sustaining a significant portion of Barton Springs Authority is preparing a report in conjunction with flow under drought conditions. Note that after the Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation the last Blanco River tracer injection in February District, Zara Environmental, and the City of Austin 2009, on several dates between July and September to describe the Blanco River groundwater tracing 2009, Barton Springs flow declined to only 13 study and its results in detail. cfs. This flow was the lowest for Barton Springs recorded since the drought of record in the 1950s, Initial estimates indicate an overall small when it declined to 9.6 cfs. Under 2009 drought contribution of the Blanco River to Barton Springs, conditions, as well as during the drought of the however, the Blanco River could be Barton Springs’ 1950s, the Blanco River continuously flowed at the largest sustaining source of recharge during drought upstream edge of the Recharge Zone, due to a very conditions when flow is most critical to Barton large watershed area and persistent springflow from Springs. Tracers injected in caves on the channel of the Trinity Aquifer. Since the major contributing Onion Creek under high-flow conditions of 2005 creeks (Barton, Williamson, Slaughter, Bear, Little were detected within 3 days at Barton Springs, and Bear, and Onion) were generally dry during these later at San Marcos Springs. Under slightly lower drought intervals, the Blanco River contribution flow conditions of 2002, tracer injections in Onion helps explain why Barton Springs flow sustains Creek were not detected in San Marcos Springs, during drought periods. A report on recharge but were recovered from Barton Springs. From this Continued on Page 6 SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 4 Figure 1: Groundwater-flow paths interpretation of Blanco River injectors of 2008-2009. Eosine dye was injected at the mouth of Halifax Creek on four seperate pulses. SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 5 Continued from Page 4, Blanco River Recharges Barton Springs During Drought sources to Barton Springs from major creeks and the Blanco River is being prepared by Nico Hauwert (CoA), Joe Beery (BSEACD), and Raymond Slade (former USGS hydrologist). Further dye tracing is needed to better understand when the Blanco River contributes to Barton Springs and how much goes to San Marcos and Barton Springs respectively. We also hope to apply different methods, such as a geochemical comparison of the Blanco River to Barton Springs, to verify and better understand these findings.
a City of Austin Watershed Protection Dept., Austin, Texas b Barton Springs/Edwards Aquifer Conservation District, Austin, Texas c Zara Environmental LLC, Manchaca, Texas d Edwards Aquifer Authority, San Antonio, Texas
Figure 4 (right): Barton Springs flow mirrors Blanco River recharge during a drought in the late 1980s and early 1990s. During eight drought periods examined, Barton Springs flow mirrored but nearly always exceeded Blanco River recharge. In this case, Barton Springs flow appears to sustain at the level of Blanco River recharge occuring at the same time. In other drought intervals examined, Barton Springs flow was higher than Blanco River recharge.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 6 Barton Springs Salamander Update Laurie Dries The Edwardssosorum was added to the federal list of endangered Aquifer contains species in 1997, and E. waterlooensis was added to numerous the list of candidate species in 2002. intermittent and From 2003 through 2008, abundance of E. perennial springs sosorum had been increasing in all of the spring throughout that sites, with periods of reproduction and high are home to number of juveniles and young adults, particularly several species in Eliza Spring. A more stream-like habitat was of solely aquatic, reconstructed in Eliza Spring in 2003, ultimately perennibranchiate resulting in an increase in average number of (“always salamanders from 9 (1995 – 2002), to 460 (2004 gilled”) Eurycea through 2008). There were similar increases in salamanders. Two salamander abundance in Parthenia Spring in of these species have response to habitat improvements. two of the smallest Unfortunately, the drought of 2009 took known ranges of any its toll on this species. Salamander abundance vertebrate species, in all spring sites dropped to an average of 160 in residing only in the Eliza Spring, 29 in Parthenia Spring and down to 0 complex of springs in Sunken Garden. Although the drought broke in known as Barton late 2009, populations of E. sosorum are currently Springs. Eurycea Eurycea sosorum young adult still recovering from its effects. Drought affects sosorum, the Barton (~ 1.5 in.) and juvenile salamanders directly by reducing the amount of Springs Salamander, (~0.75 in.) in Eliza Spring, 2008. oxygen in the water available for respiration. During inhabits the surface drought, the volume and rate of water exiting the and immediate subsurface habitat (epigean) of aquifer, known as discharge, decreases and, as Parthenia Spring (in Barton Springs Pool), Eliza discharge decreases, so does concentration of oxygen Spring, Sunken Garden, and Upper Barton Spring. Eurycea waterlooensis, the Austin Blind Salamander, inhabits the deeper subterranean habitat beneath the surface of Parthenia, Eliza, and Sunken Garden. Both species require clean, cool, flowing, spring water to thrive; they are stream salamanders, not pond salamanders. The small range sizes, threats to quantity and quality of water emanating from the Barton Springs complex, and harm imposed by cleaning and maintenance of Barton Springs Pool are the main reasons E. Above: Eurycea sosorum adult female (~ 2 in.) with eggs in Eliza Spring, 2008.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 7 Living Springs dissolved in that water. The consequences of lower oxygen The Save Barton Creek Association is pleasedto announce that produc- concentration for salamanders tion is underway on Living Springs, the new on-line documentary about are twofold. One, salamanders the culture, history and science of Barton Springs pool being created in are at risk of dying because collaboration with Austin-based media producer, Karen Kocher. there isn’t enough oxygen to Living Springs will engage participants in an interactive exploration of breathe, and two, salamanders Barton Springs, fostering greater understanding of how the natural envi- stop reproducing because they ronment helps to define human culture. An exhibit version of the project lack metabolic energy to produce will be created for the Beverly Sheffield Education Center. eggs. These effects were evident in the decreases in abundance of Living Springs is gaining traction and was recently awarded two seed salamanders at all three perennial grants, one from Humanities, Texas and another from the City of Austin. spring sites, Eliza Spring, Sunken The project also received some generous donations last spring from Save Garden, and Parthenia Spring in Barton Creek Association members. Barton Springs Pool. For several Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the project either by months, adult abundance was sending a check to SBCA to P.O. Box 5923, Austin, Texas 78763 or by do- less than 200 in Eliza Spring, less nating on-line at http://savebartoncreek.org/support-us/. Support than 20 in Parthenia Spring, and from our members helps to leverage funds from foundations by demon- 0 in Sunken Garden. Of these strating grassroots, community support. salamanders, nearly none were juveniles. Although the drought broke with rainfall in October of 2009, and Barton Springs’ discharge has been above average for 11 months, salamander abundance has not increased yet; it has remained steady. However, we are finding a few juveniles in Eliza and Parthenia Springs, suggesting some salamanders have begun to reproduce. Since salamander abundance sometimes lags behind increases in aquifer discharge, we hope that we will see higher numbers of both adult and juvenile salamander counts as favorable aquifer conditions continue.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 8 Austin’s Comprehensive Planning Process
1 Vision ”Are We There Yet?” As it approaches its 200th anniversary, Austin is a By Donna Tieman beacon of sustainability, social equity and economic Well, if you haven’t heard – the trip is bumpy. Per- opportunity; where diversity and creativity are cel- ceptions about its successes and failures run extreme. ebrated; where community needs and values are rec- Some groups want to stop the expedition and turn ognized; where leadership comes from its citizens and where the necessities of life are affordable and back… and in a way moving forward with the work accessible to all. may do just that…. Taking us back to where we left off Austin’s greatest asset is its people: passionate about from previous planning processes. our city, committed to its improvement, and deter- To date, more than 12,500 responses have been col- mined to see this vision become a reality. Imagine lected in exercises designed to capture community Austin envisions a complete community that is: Livable Educated sentiment on a myriad of land use planning issues Mobile & Interconnected Creative that impact our quality of life today and forward into Natural & Sustainable Prosperous Austin’s 2040 future. The results have provided task A Place that Values & Respects People force members and staff some measure of prioritized 5 Guiding Principles values in the form of a general “Preferred Growth” map and Vision Statement. Grow as a compact, connected city. Integrate nature into the city. Despite the criticisms related to future population Provide paths to prosperity for all. projections, lack of coordination with Neighborhood Develop as an affordable and healthy community. Plans, lack of data on capacities of existing infrastruc- Sustainably manage water and other resources. ture and zoning, etc….. There is some good news and 8 Priority Programs progress to report. The “Preferred Growth” scenario Affordable housing throughout Austin. map chosen by the most recent public forum, picked Education and talented workforce. the map designated to offer best Aquifer protection, Network of parks, trails, waterways & natural areas. Map D or the “Linear Plan”. Some of you would rec- Manage long-term water resources. ognize this map as one that essentially illustrates the Grow and invest in creative economy. Improved transportation options for cars, transit, “Austin Tomorrow Plan”. This map seeks to locate bikes & walking. densities along the IH35 corridor and density nodes Update City rules for land uses. along other major transportation corridors and inter- Healthy Austin program. sections.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 9 Continued from Page 9, Austin Comprehensive Plan The work continues. Working Groups are being Aquifer Protection was also listed the highest num- formed and made up of citizens with expertise and ber of times by respondents (464 responses) with Wa- interest in specific areas. Working closely with city ter Consumption (389), Transit (362), Mixed –Use staff, consultants, and task force members, we will (353), and Air Pollution (338) topping the list. The begin to look more closely at the details and data for ranking confirms aquifer protection as a priority our Future Scenario Map. This is a great opportunity value in our community. The survey offered another for people with the know-how or interest to get very opportunity to rank priorities. In this section, goals involved with the comprehensive planning process. were rated Low (1), Medium (2), or High (3) resulting I encourage you all to visit the Comprehensive Plan in an average score for each item. The highest score website at http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/compplan/ to in this category was 2.9. Only 3 goals out of 16 rated stay informed about the work and contribute to the this high. process.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 10 Get ready to see something happen at Barton Springs Pool Robin Cravey
After years of talking, planning, fussing, and The tunnel project was sent back to go early fidgeting, improvements are nearing action this year by a course change, and it is only now at Barton Springs Pool. These will be lasting regaining the ground lost. The project will likely improvements you can be done next fall. see and feel. Sure, FBSP With the help of has been making a lot Senator Kirk Watson, happen at the Pool for FBSP and the Austin several years, but the Parks Foundation won events and projects $300,000 in funding have been fleeting and from the TCEQ for repeated, not big and the inlet grate and lasting. They’ve been outlet gate portion important, and the of the bypass tunnel people who made them repair. That was a happen have done great huge accomplishment! work. That portion can move forward independent of MASTER PLAN the delay to the larger We began the year project. with a timeline and high hopes for solid Flood debris removal accomplishments this was slightly delayed by year. Removal of the the bypass tunnel reset, slug of flood debris and but is now on track repair of the bypass to be done in January tunnel were both slated and February. This to be done in the fall. project will restore the It was not to be. Still, true depth of the Pool, projects did move remove a big obstacle to forward. streamflow, and make it possible to keep the Of course, each Pool cleaner. project runs an arduous gauntlet of B a t h h o u s e city department work, renovation phase one, public input, review by boards and commissions, which includes roof replacement and upgrading staff contract review, one or more votes by the City various plumbing and mechanical systems, is Council, and approval by one or more state and almost complete. It will be finished when the Pool federal agencies. Members of FBSP and the Barton is closed for flood debris removal. Springs Plan Coordinating Committee are actively General grounds improvements will begin involved, every step of the way. construction next year, and they will include decking and planting in the tree court, terracing
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 11 Continued from Page 11, Barton Springs Pool SBCA Purpose Statement of some steep slopes, an accessible trail The purpose of the Association, which was incorporated in on the south side, burying the power Texas in 1979, is the preservation of Barton Springs and the unique lines, and other innovations. After environment of the Barton Creek Watershed and Zilker Park. much public input the 30% design Specifically, the Association has the following objectives: was approved by the Joint Committee To protect the quality of the water flowing into Barton Creek in November. This will also include and Barton Springs Pool in an effort to restore and preserve the installation of signs and other elements purity and crystal clear quality of the water; of the interpretive plan. Next year could also see the move of the main To research alternative land uses for the Barton Creek entrance to the central rotunda of the Watershed in order to determine which land use plan is most bathhouse, if we can work out all the compatible with the conservation of Barton Creek and Barton issues. Springs; Scientific studies are also moving To encourage the acquisition or designation of land in the ahead. Topographic survey will be Barton Springs watersheds for public use. Such acquired or completed after the flood debris is designated land could be used as additions to the Barton Creek removed. Hydrodynamic studies will Greenbelt in order to provide further public access to Barton get going after the topographic survey Creek for recreational, educational, and conservation purposes. is finished. And structural testing Such land would be maintained as close as possible to its original of the dams is underway now. All natural state. this is aimed at determining whether To educate the public about the natural history of the Barton the infrastructure of the Pool can Creek Watershed, including but not limited to: ecology, biology be reconstructed in a way that will (flora and fauna), geology, hydrology, archaeology, climatology, improve streamflow and the general ornithology, and the history of urban development in the health of the Pool. watershed; and, Renovation of Sunken Gardens To provide the public with information regarding phase one is now entering the design environmentally sound urban and conservation development phase, and construction is scheduled plans for the land in the Barton Creek Watershed. Such for next year. This project was put on plans will recognize the interaction of the hydrogeologic hold, but was restored to active status system (Barton Creek, the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, after strong advocacy by FBSP. and Barton Springs) with the complete ecological system of Looming in the future is a big the Barton Creek Watershed. Such plans will emphasize deadline: the bond election in 2012. aesthetic and environmental values of the watershed. As the ‘phase one’ in several projects indicates, the long term projects for the master plan are waiting for future funding that will come from that 2012 bond election. These projects include major renovation of Sunken Gardens, major renovation of the bathhouse, construction of a small bath facility at the south gate, and whatever modifications of the dams that are indicated by the studies going on now.
SAVE BARTON CREEK ASSOCIATION, 12